What simple action could you take today to produce a new momentum toward success in your life?
~ Anthony Robbins
Our writing journeys have definite periods of productivity and periods of lack of productivity. We get stalled by lack of ideas or plotting or writer's block or "the end" or any number of things. So then what?
Rich Fettke, author of Extreme Success, has 10 tips for maintaining our momentum:
1. Take some time to clarify your desired future outcome. Success is seeing what you want and moving toward what you see.
2. Use visual reminders of your intention. Get some magazines and cut out pictures and words related to your goal. Put them where you’ll see them on a regular basis, like on your bathroom mirror, in your wallet, next to your computer screen, or on a poster board.
3. Set clear goals with clear timelines.
4. Be action-oriented.
5. Ask yourself, "How much and what kind of fun will I have with this project?" This will help raise your energy. If you’re dreading the process there’s a good chance your momentum is going to get stifled.
6. Fill your mind with inspiration. Read books, listen to audio programs, and watch videos that educate, uplift and inspire you. Go to seminars and attend conventions related to your goal. Read about and learn about people who have done what you want to do.
7. Take a Risk a Day. So often to move towards what we really want requires us to get out of our comfort zone. By getting into the habit of taking a risk a day you will strengthen your courage as you take those important actions that can lead to your greatest opportunities.
8. Create a support team. Ask a few of your friends to form a group to support each other on your goals. Find a mentor, someone you think would add input, support, advice, feedback, and/or accountability to help you keep your attention on your intention.
9. Consistently review your top three intentions. This will add fuel to your fire and will help you focus your attention on what matters during your day. It will also help you recognize the opportunities that might help you move toward your desired future outcome.
10. Clarify how your intention also helps others. The fuel that can come from helping others can inspire you to take action and stay focused on your goals.
Numbers 7, 8, and 10 are my favorites, although I think they are all brilliant. When I first read #10, I thought of Elana Johnson and her e-book From the Query to the Call, and I thought of the WriteOnCon team and all they've done for writers online. There are so many ways we can use what we've learned to help each other.
So . . . what simple action could you take today to produce a new momentum toward success in your life?
These are great, Shannon! I really like #3 and 4. For me, writing every day, even if all I do is a page, makes the difference. Just plain old hard work, day in and day out. In the end, you'll look up and discover you've written a book.
ReplyDeleteGreat list. I really like the focus on risk-taking and the level of enthusiasm you feel toward what you are working on. Thanks! :-)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with the clarifying. I never seem to get anything done if I don't know what I really want in the end. Awesome post Shannon! =D
ReplyDeleteI love #5. When things are "fun" they flow. I have a "page-a-day" writing practice, but my WIP is so much fun that I blow through several pages at a time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for these timely reminders, Shannon!
I like this list! I think so many of these are important. For me right now, I have to keep my goal in mind, which is not always an easy thing to do when there's so much else to think (or worry) about. Thanks for this list!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree about paying it forward. Especially if you can find a simple, quick, easy way to help others, so that it never gets in the way of your own goals.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds so simple when you write it out like that.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, paying it forward is so important! These are all great things to focus on.
ReplyDeleteI love the Take a Risk a day goal! I think we take so few risks on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteNow that's my kinda motivation!
ReplyDeleteI love using visual reminders for inspiration and to create images of scenes/characters etc!!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips to get your writerly mojo up and running!! Thanks lovely Shannon! Take care
x
Wonderful post and one to refer back to when I hit a wall! Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteI love #5. It's so important to have fun with writing, and I think it comes through in the final product. Thanks for the list!
ReplyDeleteI think I do most of these (other than the risk a day).
ReplyDeleteI need to do the visual reminder for my son, who insists on NOT lifting the toilet seat. Apparently his sister's nagging isn't working. :P
Great post!
I think by habit we don't take risks in our writing. Sometimes we have to make that conscious effort!
ReplyDeleteGetting words on the page!! Especially when I don't feel like it--I almost always have a discovery that way.
ReplyDeleteI am using my momentum from the SCBWI conference to help other writers, and it's helping me so much too. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea to remember to take risks. I keep thinking I should not even try the hard parts of my current project because it would be easier to change the focus and just leave them out, but then I remember I shouldn't be a wimp!
ReplyDeleteI also think the idea of paying it forward is so important. I heard a speaker at an SCBWI conference say once that writers should have one hand forward and one hand back, to help those at earlier stages in the process and to hope those at later stages will remember to look back.
Shannon, I think this is timely! After the new year, everyone wants to break free of their rut and get going on their manuscripts. Thanks so much for sharing this. I think a lot of writers (me included) will benefit from this!
ReplyDeleteGreat points! And a good reminder to be purposeful about our goals.
ReplyDelete